Ch.13 geography

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Chapter 13

World Geography

Physical Geography

The Big Idea

West-Central Europe has a range of landscapes, a mild climate, and rich farmland.

Main Ideas• The physical features of West-Central Europe include plains, uplands, mountains, rivers, and

seas.

• West-Central Europe’s mild climate and resources support agriculture, energy production, and tourism.


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Plains

•The Northern European Plain is a low, broad coastal plain. Most of it is covered with flat or rolling terrain.

•The region’s best farmland is on the plains.

•The region’s largest cities are also on the plain.

Main Idea 1: The physical features of West-Central Europe include plains, uplands, mountains, rivers, and seas.

Mountains

•The Alps and the Pyrenees stretch into West-Central Europe from Southern Europe.

•Europe’s highest mountains are in the Alps.


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Seas

• The North Sea lies just north of West-Central Europe. It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the English Channel.

• The Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean are west of the region.

• France is bordered to the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

Rivers

• Several rivers cross West-Central Europe.

• Many of the region’s rivers are navigable, or deep and wide enough for ships to use.

• Important rivers include the Danube and the Rhine.

• People travel and ship goods along these rivers.

Water Features of West-Central Europe


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Main Idea 2: West-Central Europe’s mild climate and resources support agriculture, energy production, and tourism.

• Most of the region has a marine west coast climate with mild summers, cold winters, and frequent rain.

• The region’s climate is kept mild by a warm ocean current that flows along Europe’s northwestern coast.

• The region’s mild climate and ample rainfall make its farmlands very productive.


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Mineral resources of the region include coal in France and Germany, iron ore in France, and natural gas in the Netherlands.

Tourists are drawn to the region’s breathtaking scenery. The Alps are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

Resources of West-Central Europe

The region’s farmlands support a variety of crops, including grapes, grains, and vegetables. In addition, upland pastures support the raising of livestock.


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France and the Benelux Countries

The Big Idea

France and the Benelux Countries have strong economies and rich cultural traditions.

Main Ideas• During its history France has been a kingdom, empire, colonial power, and republic.

• The culture of France has contributed to the world’s art and ideas.

• France today is a farming and manufacturing center.

• The Benelux Countries have strong economies and high standards of living.


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Empire

• In 1789 the French people overthrew their king in the French Revolution.

• After the Revolution a brilliant general named Napoleon took power in France. He conquered much of Europe.

Kingdom

• After the fall of Rome the Franks built a kingdom in Gaul. Their greatest ruler was Charlemagne.

• In the Middle Ages parts of France were ruled by England until the French drove the English out.

Main Idea 1: During its history France has been a kingdom, empire, colonial power, and republic.


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Republic

• Today France is a republic.

• The government is led by an elected president and a parliament.

• France still controls many overseas territories. One such territory is Martinique in the West Indies.

• Since World War II the French economy has grown tremendously.

Later French History


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Language and Religion

Main Idea 2: The culture of France has contributed to the world’s art and ideas.

• Most people speak French and are Catholic.

• Many immigrants have brought their own languages and religions to France.

Art and Ideas

• In the Middle Ages the French built huge cathedrals like Notre Dame in Paris.

• France was a center of the Enlightenment.

• France is still known for art, fashion, and film.

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Cathedral of Notre Dame


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Main Idea 3: France today is a farming and manufacturing center.

• France has a strong economy.

– It is the EU’s leading agricultural producer.

– It is a major exporter of goods such as perfumes and wines.

–Tourism is also a major industry.

• The major city in France is Paris.

–Center of business, learning, and culture

–World-class museums, art galleries, and restaurants

–Famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral

• Other major cities include Marseille and Lyon. Most people in France today live in cities like these.

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Eiffel Tower


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The Benelux Countries are Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Each of the Benelux Countries is ruled by a parliament and a ceremonial monarch. The countries are small and densely populated.

Main Idea 4: The Benelux Countries have strong economies and high standards of living.


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Belgium

•More than 95 percent of the people live in cities.

• Brussels, the capital, is the headquarters for international organizations.

•Two languages are spoken, Flemish in the north and French in the south.

•Known for lace, cheese, cocoa, and chocolate

The Benelux Countries

Netherlands

•Low and flat with some land below sea level

•The country is sometimes called Holland. The people and their language are called Dutch.

•Known for cheese and tulips

Luxembourg

•Very small country, smaller than the state of Rhode Island

•Has one of the world’s highest standards of living

•Most people are Roman Catholic and speak French or German.

•Earns much of its income from banking

•Produces steel and chemicals

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Germany and the Alpine Countries

The Big Idea

Germany and the Alpine Countries are prosperous countries with similar cultures.

Main Ideas• After a history of division and two world wars, Germany is now a unified country.

• German culture, known for its contributions to music, literature, and science, is growing more diverse.

• Germany today has Europe’s largest economy, but eastern Germany faces challenges.

• The Alpine Countries reflect German culture and have strong economies based on tourism and services.


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Main Idea 1: After a history of division and two world wars, Germany is now a unified country.

• Tribes from northern Europe settled in what the Romans called Germania.

• With the support of the Roman Catholic Church, these small German states became the Holy Roman Empire.


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Division and Unification

War and Division

•In 1914 Germany began World War I, which it lost.

•In 1939 Adolf Hitler and the Nazis ordered the invasion of Poland, launching World War II. Germany also lost this war.

•After the war, the victorious Allies occupied Germany and over time two countries, East Germany and West Germany, emerged.

•The city of Berlin was divided and the Soviets built the Berlin Wall through it.

A Reunited Germany

• With U.S. aid, West Germany became an economic power. East Germany was poorer, and its people had few freedoms.

• In 1990 East and West Germany reunified.


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Religion

• Most people in north and central Germany are Protestant.

• Most people in the south are Catholic.

People

• About 90 percent are ethnic German.

• Most people speak German.

Main Idea 2: German culture, known for its contributions to music, literature, and science, is growing more diverse.


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Customs

• Religious festivals are very popular.

• Lent and Christmas are among the most popular festival times.

German Culture


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• Europe’s largest economy

• Based on industry, such as chemicals, engineering, and steel

Main Idea 3: Germany today has Europe’s largest economy, but eastern Germany faces challenges.

Government

• Federal republic headed by a chancellor, or prime minister, and parliament

• Belongs to EU and NATO

Cities

•Most people live in cities.

•Largest city is Berlin, the capital.

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Economy


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The beauty of the Alps draws many tourists to these two countries every year.

Main Idea 4: The Alpine Countries reflect German culture and have strong economies based on tourism and services.

The Alpine Countries are Austria and Switzerland. They are named for the Alps, which cover most of both countries.

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Alpine Mountains


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The Alpine Countries

Austria

•Most Austrians speak German and are Roman Catholic.

•The country’s capital, Vienna.

•Austria has a prosperous economy based on service industries such as banking. Tourism is also important.

Switzerland

•Republic divided into 26 cantons, or districts, with capital at Bern

•Several languages: German, French, Italian.

•Famous for banks, watches, chocolate, cheese, and for having the world’s highest standard of living

Education

Ch.13 geography